On the CBS News set on the convention floor, a relaxed Katie Couric responded to questions about her newscast, her treatment by the media and politics.

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“If people would actually watch (the show) instead of making innane comments here and there…I feel really good about the show. Sometimes people’s interest in me obscures the work that we’re doing, which is a disservice to everyone.”

She thought Hillary Clinton was mistreated at times during the campaign. “I think sexism, there’s still an attitude of locker-room banter that’s cute and funny and acceptable. We saw that, especially on the cable stations.”

She can relate. “I think sometimes the coverage of me is definitely sexist. I don’t think the ratings are indicative of sexism, although research has shown some people don’t feel that comfortable having a woman do the evening news. So it could be a contributing factor. Sometimes I feel in the coverage of it it rears its ugly head.”
Taking a swipe at TV critics’ negative initial reactions: “It’s sort of a lemming-like narrative followed by people who are not necessarily orginal in their reporting. No offense. I have no plans to leave.”
Couric said she misses doing extended interviews but is reporting longer pieces for “Sunday Morning” and “60 Minutes.”

In retrospect, “the combination of a new face and a new format might have been too much too soon.”

Her optimism is contagious and the more stable rating seem to reflect that. “We (at “The CBS Evening News”) feel we’ve hit our stride. We also feel like the silly season is over, when people dissected my every move.”

Couric talked about loving political coverage, including the conventions even though they are largely pro forma. “For me it’s like a reunion, I see so many old friends,” she said, waving to former “Today” colleagues across the floor.

Venturing a political prediction, she thinks McCain will pick Mitt Romney as VP running mate, “he has become more conservative on the issue of abortion…But I was wrong about Evan Bayh.”

A provocative front-page story in today’s New York Times is a talker in media circles. Was the media sexist in its treatment of Hillary Clinton during the campaign and did sexism affect the outcome of the primaries?

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I’m with Candy Crowley of CNN who says there was not sexism in the reporting, but plenty in the commentary. The trouble is the idea of a monolithic entity called “The Media” is too vague; you can’t paint scrupulous reporters and showbiz yakkers with the same brush.

Commentators Chris Matthews, shrill-voiced Pat Buchanan and Tucker Carlson were among the worst offenders, as seen in this video making the internet rounds…

Yet a sharp attack from an unusual quarter gave pause this week when Katie Couric used her anchor post to scold the media for its biased treatment of Clinton. Clearly, this is a woman who’s been on the receiving end of sexist insults and knows whereof she speaks.

Now the narrative moves from charges of sexism to charges of racism as the campaign of Barack Obama progresses. What’s been said about his wife is shameful, but again, it’s only a corner of the cable news world that’s listening.

It’s important that the country is having these conversations. Just be careful to specify which part of the all-encompassing “media” you blame.

Notes on the coverage of what MSNBC’s Chris Matthews called “Super-Duper Tuesday”:

John King with his Telestrator on CNN, creating a dizzying symphony of expanding, contracting, moving, encircled images on a map. It’s a showy bit of technology that’s best in small doses.
Over on CBS Jeff Greenfield has a telestrator, too. “He’s a John Madden wannabe,” Katie Couric says.

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Way too much information on the screen on MSNBC, needless overkill on a night when less is often more.

Olbermann also pinpointed what he called “the media momentum war,” as usual displaying a keen awareness for the perceptions behind the news that influence the news. He often adds more to the discussion than the rest of the media pack combined.

On CBS, Couric was stuck with weak graphics while ABC gave Charlie Gibson moving pictures of each candidate rather than static numbers. A weird Big Brother screen in front of the ABC team was unnerving. Couric nimbly teased Jeff Greenfield for an interruption: “while you’re turning off your cellphone why don’t you weigh in, Jeff?” She said the touch screen in front of her was helping her hone her ATM skills.

Brian Williams’ more formal style on NBC seemed respectful of the occasion if dated at the same time. Tim Russert, in overdrive since “Today” more than 12 hours ago, continues to salivate. “Polls are closed, can’t wait for those results!” His excitement is contagious.

CBS’ Bob Schieffer, who has announced plans to retire after the 2008 election cycle, got in a self-referential joke about age being “a real asset for McCain.”

The panting countdown to California continues as the night wears on and Matthews in particular looks like he needs to towel off and chill.

She took CBS Sports by storm, then moved on to do the same at CBS News. Hannah Storm is leaving CBS’ “The Early Show” for parts unknown, within CBS News. Her last day is to be determined, CBS said.

Storm and Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports, are in discussions to determine the scope and depth of her new duties. “We are in discussions regarding future opportunities across CBS,” she said in a statement. The network’s brief release complimented her skills and her adaptability “beyond mornings.”

Lest anyone forget, the evening news race has been tough for CBS lately. Katie Couric trails front-runner Brian Williams by about 3 million viewers each night. So where does Storm fit in?

Katie Couric’s in Iraq this week performing completely satisfactorily. George Bush is in Iraq this week performing–fill in your descriptor here. These are dog-and-camel shows that will be followed this weekend by a touching series of interviews with American troops injured and nearly killed there.

James Gandolfini chose to use his immediate post-“Sopranos” clout to make a documentary, “Alive Day Memories,” airing on HBO Sunday at 8:30 p.m. Footage of battle scenes is interspersed with memories of what these soldiers were doing before their injuries. Difficult but necessary viewing.

NBC News made it official: “Today” will expand to a fourth hour in September. Hour four will look a lot like hour three, maybe “a little lighter,” according to executive producer Jim Bell.

Meredith Vieira won’t be part of the additional hour due to her non-compete contract with Buena Vista for as long as she does “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” But the rest of the team will be involved.
(In Denver, KUSA plans to carry the hour, although General Manager Mark Cornetta said it might run separately from the rest, say, in the afternoon.)

Regarding the transition from Katie Couric, Matt Lauer wouldn’t comment on how much better he likes his new co-anchor, except to say, “we’re not faking this one, it’s gone really well.”
Anyone doubt he’s a great diplomat?
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ABC News dropped “Tonight” from the title of its evening broadcast to reflect the 24/7 quality on the web; now it’s “World News with Charles Gibson.” Gibson spoke to critics via satellite from Cyprus, portside in short sleeves and kakhis.
“I suspect Peter never forgot his passport,” Gibson said, as he did this morning. Read more…

Question: what did Katie Couric wear?
But the real question is, how sexist is it to write about the new CBS News anchor’s clothes when reporters normally don’t mention what Charlie Gibson or Brian Willaims wears?Read more…

And now, from Pasadena where the television criticsâ€™ summer press tour is in full swing, a bit of the party chatter, gossip and relentless hype that wouldnâ€™t make it into the regular, tree-killing newspaper. We join our regularly scheduled bloghouse, already in progress.Read more…

Joanne Ostrow has been watching TV since before "reality" required quotation marks. "Hill Street Blues" was life-changing. If Dickens, Twain or Agatha Christie were alive today, they'd be writing for television. And proud of it.